Kei Truck Engine CodesF6A, K6A, E07A, EN07, the EF-series and 3G83 — what each code tells you
Every engine fitted to Japanese used kei trucks and mini trucks built between 1990 and 2002, explained code by code. These are the Suzuki, Honda, Daihatsu, Subaru and Mitsubishi 660 cc engines in the generations you can import into the USA under the 25-year rule, indexed by SOHC or DOHC, cylinder count, model and body code.
Not sure which engine you want? Kei Truck Buying Guide →
Kei truck engine codes before 2002
Cylinder count, cam type (SOHC / DOHC) and the models each engine went into. Click a code to jump to its entry.
| Engine code | Maker | Cylinders | Cams / valves | Induction | Fitted to (body code) | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E07A | Honda | inline-3 | SOHC 12-valve | NA | Acty HA3/HA4 HA6/HA7 | approx. 1990-2000 |
| E07Z | Honda | inline-3 | SOHC | NA | Acty HA6/HA7 late models | Dec 2000 onwards |
| EN07C / EN07F | Subaru | inline-4 | SOHC 8-valve | NA | Sambar KS3/KS4 TT1/TT2 | 1990–2012 |
| EN07Y | Subaru | inline-4 | SOHC | supercharged | Sambar TT1/TT2 | 1999 onwards |
| F5A | Suzuki | inline-3 | SOHC | NA / turbo | Carry (550 cc generations) | up to 1990 |
| F6A | Suzuki | inline-3 | SOHC 12-valve | NA / turbo | Carry DC51T/DD51T DA52T/DB52T | 1990–2001 |
| K6A | Suzuki | inline-3 | DOHC 12-valve | NA / turbo | Carry DA62T onwards | Sep 2001 onwards |
| EF-CS / EF-ES | Daihatsu | inline-3 | SOHC 6-valve | NA | Hijet S82P S83P | 1990–1994 |
| EF-NS | Daihatsu | inline-3 | SOHC 6-valve | NA | Hijet S100P/S110P | 1994 onwards |
| EF-GS | Daihatsu | inline-3 | DOHC 12-valve | NA | Hijet S100P/S110P | 1996–1999 |
| EF-SE | Daihatsu | inline-3 | SOHC 12-valve, EFI | NA | Hijet S200P/S210P | 1999 onwards |
| EF-VE | Daihatsu | inline-3 | DOHC 12-valve | NA | Hijet S200P/S210P | 1999 onwards |
| 3G83 | Mitsubishi | inline-3 | SOHC | NA / turbo | Minicab U41T/U42T U61T/U62T | 1991 onwards |
12-valve does not mean DOHC
Honda's E07A is SOHC with 12 valves. One camshaft pushes four valves per cylinder, so judging DOHC from the valve count alone produces an error. Always confirm by engine code.
Yoshisuke MayumiFormer Editor-in-Chief,
Carsensor
Mayumi's POINT
Kei truck engines from around 2000 were remarkably varied. Subaru used a four-cylinder engine, which gave the Sambar an edge in quietness and smoothness. Honda stayed with SOHC but used four valves per cylinder, and the Acty engine revs smoothly all the way up — just what you expect from Honda. Suzuki and Daihatsu moved to DOHC around this time and earned a reputation for fuel economy and reliability.
These engines are now a quarter of a century old, and each has its reported weak spots. Subaru: oil leaks around the cylinder head and the crankshaft bearing caps. Honda: blown head gaskets, and overheating caused by air trapped in the cooling system. Suzuki was between the F6A and the K6A in this period: the F6A is prone to oil leaks from the camshaft and crankshaft oil seals and to timing belt failure, while the K6A, which switched to a timing chain, has comparatively few problems. Daihatsu engines are also relatively trouble-free, but check that the rocker cover gasket, camshaft oil seals and water pump have had the maintenance they need.
Suzuki engine codes | F5A, F6A and K6A (Suzuki Carry)
The Suzuki Carry is the most widely traded kei truck in the world. The 25-year-eligible generations are mostly F6A, and from September 2001 it changed to the all-aluminium K6A.
The engine from when the kei class was 550 cc. It was replaced by the F6A when the class grew to 660 cc in 1990. In the USA it is usually described as the pre-1990, 35-horsepower era, and parts supply is thinner than for the 660 cc generations.
The engine you meet most often in 25-year-eligible kei trucks. A tough cast-iron block, simple and easy to service, with a settled reputation in the US mini truck market as bulletproof. Fitted to the Carry DC51T/DD51T and DA52T/DB52T. It shares a lot with other models such as the Jimny, and aftermarket parts are plentiful.
The successor to the F6A. All-aluminium construction made it lighter, and going DOHC (twin cam) improved how far it pulls at high revs. In the Carry it appears from the DA62T onwards. Vehicles built between September and December 2001 are 25-year eligible as of 2026, which makes checking the date of manufacture especially important for this code.
Honda engine codes | E07A and E07Z (Honda Acty for sale)
The Honda Acty is defined by its mid-engine (MR) layout, with the engine between the axles. The engine has always been an E07-series inline-3 SOHC 12-valve.
Acty HA3/HA4 and early HA6/HA7. True to Honda, it revs out willingly, and despite being SOHC it uses four valves per cylinder for a 12-valve layout. It is the textbook case of 12-valve that is not DOHC, so take care with how you word listings. Because it sits transversely under the bed, service access has its own quirks.
The successor to the E07A. Fitted to late Acty HA6/HA7 models (from the December 2000 minor change) and used through to the final generation. It keeps the basic E07A design while meeting tighter emissions rules and running more quietly.
Subaru engine codes | EN07 and EN07Y (Sambar for sale)
The only inline four-cylinder in a kei truck. Mounted longitudinally at the very back of the vehicle, it pairs with the rear-engine (RR) layout to put weight directly over the driven wheels.
Because the same 658 cc is split across four cylinders, each one is smaller, so it vibrates less and turns more smoothly. The EN07C runs a slightly lower compression ratio tuned for fatter low-rev torque; the EN07F uses EMPi (electronic fuel injection). Fitted to the Sambar Truck KS3/KS4 and TT1/TT2.
The supercharged version offered on the sixth-generation Sambar (TT1/TT2). Unlike a turbo, boost comes in from low revs, so there is margin when pulling away and climbing. A 660 cc four-cylinder with forced induction is unique among kei trucks, and it is searched for by name in the USA as the supercharged Sambar.
Daihatsu engine codes | the EF-series (Hijet truck for sale)
The Daihatsu Hijet EF-series mixes SOHC 6-valve, DOHC 12-valve and SOHC 12-valve EFI engines under the same EF prefix. The last two letters change the specification, so reading the code correctly matters.
The generation right after the move to 660 cc. A simple two-valves-per-cylinder layout, fitted to the Hijet S82P / S83P. It is a straightforward generation and easy to service yourself locally.
Hijet S100P/S110P standard engine. Focused on low and mid range, with honest manners for farm work at a constant low speed.
The higher-spec engine of the S100P/S110P generation. A DOHC with four valves per cylinder, it uses more of the rev range than the EF-NS in the same body. In the used market it is sometimes listed as twin cam 12-valve.
Hijet S200P/S210P standard engine. Electronic fuel injection (EFI) makes cold starting more reliable than a carburettor, which suits cold climates. It was fitted widely, mainly to entry grades and manual versions.
The higher-spec engine of the S200P/S210P generation. Going DOHC improved reach at high revs, so it has more margin than the EF-SE in the same body. Which engine you get depends on grade, so confirm the engine code field on the registration document for the specific vehicle.
Mitsubishi engine codes | 3G83 (Mitsubishi Minicab)
Minicab U41T/U42T and U61T/U62T. An inline-3 SOHC produced over a long period and shared with other models such as the Minica and Toppo. The Minicab's 4WD 5MT versions come with a sub-transmission as standard, but diff lock was not offered, and a mechanical LSD was the option instead.
Search by body code | HA4, HA7, KS4, TT2, DD51T, DB52T, S110P, S210P, U42T, U62T
A list for looking up the engine and equipment from the body code (model code) shown on the Japanese registration document. Note that 25-year eligibility is judged by date of manufacture, not by code, so a single code can include both eligible and ineligible vehicles.
HA3 / HA4 — Honda Acty Truck
- Engine: E07A (inline-3 SOHC 12-valve)
- Layout: MR (mid-engine)
- 4WD: Real Time 4WD (viscous, automatic)
- ATTACK grade = diff lock plus Ultra Low and Ultra Reverse
HA6 / HA7 — Honda Acty Truck
- Engine: E07A (early) / E07Z (Dec 2000 onwards)
- Layout: MR (mid-engine)
- 4WD: Real Time 4WD
- Diff lock is standard on the ATTACK grade only
KS3 / KS4 — Subaru Sambar Truck
- Engine: EN07 (inline-4 SOHC)
- Layout: RR (rear-engine)
- Diff lock and Extra Low vary considerably by grade
TT1 / TT2 — Subaru Sambar Truck
- Engine: EN07C / EN07F, EN07Y (supercharged)
- Layout: RR (rear-engine)
- 4WD: MT = part-time / AT = viscous type
- Extra Low 5MT available. Diff lock varies by year and grade
DC51T / DD51T — Suzuki Carry
- Engine: F6A (inline-3 SOHC 12-valve, turbo available)
- Layout: FR (cab-over)
- 4WD: Part-time 4WD (2H / 4H / 4L)
- Nohan grade = sub-transmission plus diff lock (4WD and 5MT only)
DA52T / DB52T — Suzuki Carry
- Engine: F6A (from September 2001, the K6A / DA62T)
- Layout: FR (cab-over)
- 4WD: part-time 4WD (cabin lever for 2H / 4H / 4L)
- Nohan grade = sub-transmission plus diff lock, bed work lamp and high-capacity battery
S100P / S110P — Daihatsu Hijet Truck
- Engine: EF-NS (SOHC) / EF-GS (DOHC 12-valve, 1996-1999)
- Layout: FR (cab-over)
- 4WD: part-time 4WD
- Noyo Special grade = Super Diff Lock plus Extra Low
S200P / S210P — Daihatsu Hijet Truck
- Engine: EF-SE (SOHC, EFI) / EF-VE (DOHC 12-valve)
- Layout: FR (cab-over)
- 4WD: part-time 4WD
- Noyo Special grade = Super Diff Lock plus Extra Low, four-leaf rear springs
U41T / U42T — Mitsubishi Minicab Truck
- Engine: 3G83 (inline-3 SOHC)
- Layout: FR (cab-over)
- 4WD: part-time 4WD
- No diff lock offered / mechanical LSD was an option
U61T / U62T — Mitsubishi Minicab Truck
- Engine: 3G83 (inline-3 SOHC)
- Layout: FR (cab-over)
- 4WD: part-time 4WD (2WD to 4H even on the move)
- Sub-transmission standard on 5MT 4WD
How to check the engine code
On a Japanese registration document it appears in the Engine Model field. On the vehicle you can also read it from the stamp on the engine block. The date of manufacture used for 25-year eligibility is on the caution plate in the driver's door opening. Note that this is not the model year or the year of first registration. → The 25-year rule explained
Kei truck engine FAQ
Almost all are 660 cc inline-3. The exception is the Subaru Sambar, with the inline four-cylinder 658 cc EN07. Four cylinders vibrate less and turn more smoothly, which makes fine throttle control easier on snow and sand.
It depends on use. SOHC is simple, easy to service and focused on low and mid-range torque; DOHC (twin cam) pulls further up the rev range. For farm work where you let it lug at low revs, SOHC; for mountain climbs and long loaded runs, DOHC.
3 cylinders x 4 valves each = 12 valves, and twin cam = DOHC. But 12-valve does not necessarily mean DOHC. Honda's E07A is SOHC with 12 valves.
The F6A is a cast-iron-block SOHC 12-valve; the K6A is its all-aluminium DOHC 12-valve successor. In the Carry the change came in September 2001 with the K6A-powered DA62T. The F6A is tough and easy to service; the K6A is lighter and better at revs.
Yes. Suzuki's F6A came in a turbo version and Subaru's EN07Y is supercharged. Both give margin from low revs, which suits steep climbs and towing.
EFI if you value cold starting and fuel economy; a carburettor if you value being able to service it yourself locally. Vehicles from the late 1990s onward are mostly EFI.
In the Engine Model field of the Japanese registration document, or from the stamp on the engine block. It is also shown in the vehicle information on UCARWORLD listings.
As of 2026, a vehicle that is not yet 25 years old by date of manufacture is generally difficult to import for normal road use. Because 25-year eligibility is judged by date of manufacture, a single code can include both eligible and ineligible vehicles.
Find a kei truck by engine code
F6A, K6A, E07A, EN07, EF-series, 3G83 — choose from vetted Japanese sellers' stock by the combination of engine and equipment that fits your purpose. Tell us the code and equipment you want and we can also take a vehicle request.
Telling DOHC from SOHC without opening anything
You will rarely get a photograph of the camshafts. In practice you identify a twin-cam kei truck from four things you can see in a listing — and the first one settles it on its own.
1 · The engine code
2 · The decal on the body
3 · The cam cover shape
4 · The build date
The trap: 12 valves does not mean DOHC
Honda’s E07A and E07Z are SOHC 12-valve engines — three cylinders, four valves each, one camshaft. A listing that says “12 valve” is telling you about the valve count, not the camshaft count. Only “TWIN CAM”, “DOHC” or a known DOHC engine code settles it.
UCARWORLD is a platform connecting Japanese sellers with overseas buyers. We are not the seller; the contract of sale is formed between buyer and seller. Vehicle information is supplied by the seller. Payment is received by UCWORLD Co., Ltd. as a collection agent. About UCARWORLD’s role →